Batty Info and Links

Firstly, please do not handle the animal unless you are vaccinated against the Australian Bat Lyssavirus.

Any bat encountered during the day, either close to or on the ground is in need of assistance.

Less than 0.5% of bats in Australia may have AUSTRALIAN BAT LYSSAVIRUS (ABL).

To contract the virus, you would need to have been bitten or scratched by an infected animal. Please remember that if you do not touch the flying-fox or microbat that there is no risk. Any wild animal that is injured or trapped will be scared and therefore more likely to bite.

If you are bitten or scratched, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water for at least 5 minutes. Contact your local doctor or emergency department immediately. If you are bitten or scratched, this means that the animal must be euthanised, so plese for the sake of both yourself and the bat, do not touch.

For those of you located south of Wollongong, Southern Highlands and south to Batemans Bay please call Wildlife Rescue South Coast Inc.'s 24 hour hotline on

0418 427 214

South of Batemans Bay to the Victorian border

0417 238 921

For other areas in NSW, you can download the IFAW/NWC wildlife rescue app which is available on the Apple Store and the Android Market.